Donald Trump and Melania greet the Trudeaus – but what does THIS hand gesture mean?

The Canadian President and his wife visited the Washington DC for talks with Trump on the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Before their discussion both couples greeted one another and posed for photographs – and many observed Melania’s similar appearance to her husband.

Not only was the First Lady wearing a suit like Trump but she even used the same arm gesture as him.

Body language Robin Kermode has analysed the snap and revealed what the couple’s interaction with one another reveals.

Body language expert Judi James told Express.co.uk: “Trudeau looks deliriously happy to go into body language suck-up mode with Trump here, nestling close beside him and grinning as Trump performs the pointing and thumbs-up rituals that he used to do with fans outside the lift at Trump Towers.”

But Trudeau’s body language with Melania is “very informal here, with those wide-splayed legs erring on the side of cheeky.”

Judi added: “Trump’s thumbs-up gestures imply a fun, easy-going relationship with Trudeau although it also seems to signal low levels of respect.

“The comedy point is equally amusing but also a subtle way to put down Trudeau’s visible status. Boris used to perform this gesture with Cameron and although it is the body language equivalent of banter a point is an act of masked aggression at the end of the day.”

But according to the body language expert, it is Melania who is the real power player here.

She said: “The complete revelation here is Melania though. Not only is she wearing a very sharp masculine-looking pants suit but she’s acquired the alpha pose to go with it.

“Standing further forward than her husband she is virtually at attention here. The position and quasi-military look of this pose makes her look higher status than her husband here.

“It’s very similar to the body language of Hilary Clinton so either Trump hasn’t noticed or he’s happy to have a small rebellion role-play in the ranks!”

Comments by Robin Kermode, a popular keynote speaker and one of Europe’s leading communication coaches. He is the founder of Zone2, a professional training and coaching consultancy: www.zone2.co.uk. Robin is the author of SPEAK SO YOUR AUDIENCE WILL LISTEN – 7 Steps to Confident and Authentic Public Speaking: http://amzn.to/IUv1RD